[High On Octane]

After an intense roller coaster ride over the last 2 weeks, and allegedly "walking out" after staying 1 1/2 hours past my scheduled shift and losing my job at Advance Auto Farts, there seems to be shining light at the end of the tunnel.  I've been talking with my good friend-partner-super-awesome-guy-that-gave-me-the-Indian  about starting my own shop for some time, and it looks like we're going to pull the trigger.  He recognizes my talent and hard work ethic and is ready to financially back me to start up my own shop!  I'm turning in my shop lease app and deposit tomorrow and if everything goes to plan ( which I'm fully expecting  ) Bulldog Collision & Customs should be in official business in the next week or so!  I've been dreaming of this happening for the last 7 years and it seems fate has finally opened the door for me.   

I'm going to be doing everything from collision repair to restorations to custom fab work to vintage bikes.  Totally expect to see a RE Cafe bike coming out of here in the near future!      I realize this is going to be a lot of hard work, dedication and persistence, but this is why I started painting cars in the 1st place.  And I won't lie, I'm a bit overwhelmed, hence why I'm sitting here on the forum at damn near midnight writing about it, but I know I can do this.  I was telling my partner earlier today "I don't want to just be another paint guy, I want to be the next Boyd Cottington."  I have a great talent when it comes to painting cars/bikes and the time has finally come for me to prove it.

Scottie


P.S.  Any words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated.   

[jartist]

Congratulations Scottie! Sounds frightening and exciting all at the same time! My hats off to you for jumping into the deep end.

[AgentX]

Congrats and good luck--if I end up in Denver after we're done overseas, I'll drop in to have you make stuff for me.  I'm sure I'll have a stupid idea that needs doin'.

MD

[ace.cafe]

Exciting new venture!
Best of luck!

[ERC]

Good luck I'm sure you can do it.   ERC

[Rich Mintz]

So much fun to do what you love!! It won't be easy, but easy isn't the point, is it? Best of luck.

[barenekd]

Good Luck, and have a Grand opening!
Bare

[boggy]

Life is unfairly short - If you can do what you love, the challenge will be worth it.  Incredible news.  When I get serious about tearing apart this Enfield, I'll send stuff your way.

Best of luck Scottie. 
Boggy

[High On Octane]

Thanks everyone!  I have to be honest, I've never been so excited AND so scared about the same thing at once.  It's a little intimidating, but I keep telling myself "Nothing will happen on it's own.  It's up to me to make it happen, and it won't happen if I don't try."  One thing is for sure, I'm not about to make a life changing decision with a half-assed attempt.  THAT I can assure you.   

Boggy - You just let me know when you want to do that and we'll figure something out.   

Also, if ANY of you are a small business owner and don't mind chatting for a bit about the ins-and-outs of running your own business, I'd be forever grateful for your kindness.

Scottie

[singhg5]

My best wishes with you Scottie for starting your own business. 

[GreenMachine]

ScottieJ:  My son open a LLC  business 6 months ago (Electrical contracting)...He is very hungry and makes a good living at it. You have to get your name out there and be looking for every opportunity to sell your services..If you can be patient, it may pay off.  Be prepared for failure and accept success gracefully..Your drive and ambition is the key to success..You got to stay focused and  in the game.....Just some observation that I encountered from watching my son..

[Arizoni]

Congratulations and best of luck to you in your new venture.

Your biggest challenge (aside from getting the needed business licenses) is getting the word out to the public that your in business.

Try to contact every person you've done paint or body work for (unless they are PO'ed about your work). 
Let them know your opening up your shop for business and ask them to spread the word.

This might include getting some small posters or flyers and business cards made.

At the local car shows here the owners often have signs made describing their cars features.  Ask them if they would add something like, "Custom Paint by Bulldog Collision & Customs" to their sign.
If they won't do that maybe they will agree to having a few of your poster/flyer or business card available when they are showing their cars.

 

[High On Octane]

I actually handed out a few cards tonight at the Friday Night Meet at Sonic.  Tomorrow is the bike show that I'm entering the Indian in and also Cruzin Havana, which is a HUGE car cruise in it's 6th running year.  I heard last year the turn out was in the thousands!  So I'm definitely going to be putting the word out there tomorrow.   

Scottie

[JVS]

Good luck Scottie! Great advice from other members here.

Having basically very less experience in the workforce (I'm 21), I can only advise you to prepare a business plan for your venture. I've heard that preparing a business plan is very beneficial as it allows you to research your industry, competitors (market analysis), strategic analysis, environment analysis, SWOT analysis and marketing. These aspects can allow you to gain additional market share and clients/customers as opposed to your competitors. Getting a business plan done professionally will present you with many new ideas and areas that you can exploit. The first couple of years are very crucial. With the right amount of dedication and effort, I am 100% sure you will go far!

[gashousegorilla]

  Very cool....  Good luck Scottie!

[ERC]

21? JVS I didn't think they ever sold a RE to anyone that young.    ERC

[cochi]

Scottie congratulations. You can make it work. Your getting some great advice and JVS  is right on the money! Create a business plan, if you don't already have one. It's really helpful and you will need one if you ever need a bank loan. cochi

[mattsz]

Scottie - congratulations!  I wish you great success!!

[redcat]

Congratulations Scottie J you will do well judging by your work you've posted photos of. JVS, don't listen to ERC he's so old he's driven the median age of RE owner's through the overhead.

[Darvin Jahnke]

Good luck with your new venture. In todays world just doing good work does not guarantee a succesful business. There is all the behind the scenes paperwork crap that needs to be attended to. Sending in collected taxes and necessary reports,social security and withholding taxes etc. Then there are a lot of expenses like property taxes or lease payments,insurances,utilities etc. etc. I've known some very talented people that went into business for themselves and went broke because they didn't take all of these things into consideration.I'm not trying to be discouraging,just realistic. And keep the accounts recievable to a minimum. Beware of the "buddies" that want deals. The saying is I have to make money off my friends because my enemies don't do business here. I ran my own sideline business for over 20 yrs out of my home shop. I worked 40 hr weeks at a shop in town and ran my shop evenings and weekends. Yes it was profitable but things have changed a lot now with all the regulations,required permits and paperwork. I finially got to the point that I wanted to work on my own stuff and have some time to enjoy life. Anyway,just some advice from a worn out old biker and hope things work out well for you.

[High On Octane]

At the bike show today, I was talking with a gentleman who recently opened a shop spraying Plasti Dip (go figure) in the same are that I am.  He informed me that the city here offers small business classes that are either free or very cheap, $20-$60, that tell you everything you need to know, including classes on Quick Books.  So guess who's going to be taking some small business classes?      I also handed out quite a few business cards between the 2 shows today.  Fingers Crossed!

Thank you everyone for your kind words of encouragement.   

Scottie

[D the D]

The US Small Business Administration has programs and grants or loans for small business owners and startups.  You may qualify for something. Grants are great because you're getting some of your own income tax dollars back.  Better you than a 4th or 5th generation of entitlement.
http://www.sba.gov/category/navigation-structure/loans-grants

[JVS]

ERC,

Even though I was surrounded by 250-660cc Hondas, Yamahas and Kawasakis, I had to forcefully get the Enfield from them...them old chaps lol

[Pickasaurus]

Scottie, Where are you setting up shop?  I am also here in the Denver area, and have been toying with having my Ural side car rig custom painted.

pic

[High On Octane]

Scottie, Where are you setting up shop?  I am also here in the Denver area, and have been toying with having my Ural side car rig custom painted.

pic

I live and work out of East Aurora ( Airport And 6th area ).  My shop is going to be by Motorcycle Depot if you know where that is.
I would LOVE to paint your sidecar rig!!!!!  I think that would be absolutely awesome!

Scottie

[GreenForce82]

What all are you going to be doing at your shop. I am considering moving out there and need a job and a place to stay. I will work for dirt, can learn to do anything and again will work for dirt. I would love to be your grease monkey grunt... I have a friend who lives out there and she LOVES it and says that there are lots of other jobs and fair priced places to stay so if it didn't work out I would be okay.

I am already packed to move I am just trying to save up a little startup money. I have someone who is gonna rent a U-haul for me to move my crap out there or at least a truck and trailer so I have that going for me.

I can turn a wrench, and like I said I can learn anything you are willing to teach. I really hope your business goes GREAT!

If you are looking for some startup help I would love to be a part of a what you are going to be doing. If not, no hard feelings of course. I am just trying to get the hell outta here and start a new life.

Best of Luck!!!

[AussieDave]

hey scottie , just want to ad my best wishes to you. what you are doing is in the finest tradition of turning a shite situation into a fantastic opportunity. all respect. from a life of being self employed( mostly) i can only say,never let a client leave unhappy,and never let payment slide. oh yeah, don't drink to much. Dave .

[Blue Ridge Wheeltor]

You know, there is not a Ural dealer or a Ural Authorized repair shop in Denver...

[jwnwyoming]

Scottie, you'll have to give us an address of your business. You'll become a destination!